The Holistic Horse Blog

Did you know that fall is the perfect time of year to make some improvements in your horse pasture? By the beginning of fall, weeds that popped up during the summer months have grown large and are now producing seeds, and many will germinate and begin new growth in the months of September through November. The time to deal with them is now!

With that in mind, here are a few tips to not only control those weeds (naturally) but also make some other fall pasture improvements: 

Mow

Even if you don’t plan to do anything else, mowing your pasture at the beginning of the fall season and then again if grass and/or weeds continue to grow can help promote healthy grass growth for the following spring. This will also help to control weeds which may go to seed. 

Take a Soil Sample

Taking a soil sample and having it evaluated by your local county extension office can help you decide what else may need to be done with your pasture. Test results will reveal the soil pH as well as the nutrient levels—that way you’ll know what you need to do specifically to improve your soil and the plants that grow in it.

Fertilize or Re-Seed

Fall is a great time to fertilize your cool season pastures if they need it. In fact, try to do this in October or early November as it will lead to hardier grasses that experience quicker growth in the spring. If weeds have taken over or grass is sparse, consider re-seeding instead. If you do this in early fall, grass seeds should germinate quickly thanks to adequate moisture, less weed competition, and cooler weather conditions. Re-seeding with several varieties of native grasses is best. 

Apply Lime

If your soil pH level is below 5.9, applying lime (calcium carbonate) can help to bring it up to above 6.0. The higher your soil pH level, the more nutrient rich your soil will be. Depending on your soil test results, you may also need to apply potassium and phosphorus. Talk to your county extension office agent about where to get these products. 

Rotate Pastures

If you have the means to do so, rotating pastures is great to do throughout the year or at least during the transition from the warmer months to cooler months. This allows grass to rest so it will have time to recuperate by spring. If you don’t have multiple pastures to rotate your horses on, try sectioning off areas with temporary fencing to allow certain areas to rest. 

Manage Manure

Picking up manure or dragging your pasture to spread manure throughout the field can be helpful throughout the grazing season, but when either of those can’t be done, use a product such as Breakdown SC to assist in the decomposition of manure. This product also does double duty since it kills flies and parasites as they hatch. If you are using rotational grazing, fall is a great time to treat manure in unused fields. 

It’s no secret that adding certain supplements into your horse’s diet can lead to improved health and well-being. But which supplements does your horse need? And what’s the best way to feed them? To answer these questions, we thought we’d provide a guide to feeding our most popular supplements.

Icelandic Organic Kelp

Our Kelp contains 60 trace minerals, micro-nutrients, and amino acids, as well as many natural vitamins. This supplement helps to boost the immune system and balance hormones. Due to the high iodine content, it’s also a great choice for horses with metabolic issues such as EMS, IR, and Cushing’s Disease. 

To feed Icelandic Organic Kelp, top dress your horse’s feed daily with 1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 1/2 teaspoon-1 tbsp) for full size horses. For foals and miniature horses, top dress with 1/8 to 1/4 ounce (3/4 tsp-1 1/2 tsp). 

Photo by Maysaa Ahmar on Unsplash

Unrefined Sea Salt

Our unrefined Sea Salt contains over 80 essential minerals and can be thought of as “nature’s electrolyte”. All horses need supplemental salt and this one is of the highest quality.  

Unrefined Sea Salt should be fed free choice. Horses will take what they need and learn to self-regulate.

SeaGuard 

This supplement contains a mix of our Unrefined Sea Salt (90%) and Organic Icelandic Kelp (10%), therefore providing the benefits of both. SeaGuard will help to improve your horse’s  general health and digestion, as well as the condition of the skin, hair coat, and hooves. 

SeaGuard should be fed free choice. 

Organic Flaxseed 

Our Organic Stone Ground Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, which are necessary for the production of hormones and vitamins and also provide a sustained source of energy. Flaxseed improves the skin and hair coat and can also help to prevent sand colic. Furthermore, this ingredient is known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can help with a variety of health issues.

For a full-size horse, top dress feed with 1/2 cup of Flaxseed. 

Important Note: This product should be kept refrigerated or frozen to retain optimal freshness. 

Equine Magnesium 

Magnesium is an essential mineral needed by all horses and, unfortunately, it is commonly deficient in most equine diets. Magnesium plays an important role in neuromuscular transmission, muscular health, and a healthy nervous system. Horses with metabolic problems often need more magnesium in their diet to help break down fat deposits such as “cresty neck”. 

Top dress feed with one ounce of our Magnesium daily (1-ounce scoop provided). This dosage can be increased to 2 ounces daily if the horse is sweating regularly from hard work. 

WormGuard Plus SC for Horses

All of our dewormers, including this one, use a mechanical method to kill internal parasites. WormGuard Plus SC also contains probiotics to promote healthy digestion and pure grape seed extract to support the immune system. 

For first time users: Top dress feed with WormGuard Plus daily for 90 days without interruption, then feed 3 times per week for maintenance. 

The recommended dosage for full-size horses is as follows:

• 1/2 cup for a light paradise load
• 3/4 cup for a moderate load
• 1 cup for a heavy parasite load

Periodic fecal tests can help determine your horse’s load and dosage.

Feeding Tip: WormGuard can be moistened with water or apple sauce to make it more palatable. 

Equine gestation lasts for approximately 340 days, though it can range anywhere between 320-370 days. Just as in people, we divide a mare’s pregnancy into three trimesters. In the first trimester, the embryo is implanted and the fetal organs are formed. In the second trimester, the fetus begins to grow at a good rate, and by the third trimester, the fetus is rapidly gaining weight. 

All throughout the pregnancy, your mare will need regular monitoring of her body condition and health. However, the nutritional needs of a pregnant mare do not change much until the last trimester. 

Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy

A common mistake people make is overfeeding their pregnant mare. What they may not understand is that, for the first 7-8 months, most pregnant mares only need a diet of quality pasture or hay, and possibly an added concentrate to maintain good body condition. In other words, feed them like you normally would if they were not pregnant. 

Aside from good quality forage, your pregnant mare will need an additional source of essential vitamins and minerals such as Icelandic Organic Kelp, as well as free-choice salt. 

In cold weather, consider additional caloric requirements needed by all horses, including pregnant mares. They will need more forage to maintain body condition in extreme temperatures.  

Make sure to avoid feeding pasture or hay with fescue, which can be infected with an endophyte that can cause prolonged gestation, difficult delivery, and/or lack of milk in pregnant mares. 

Assessing Body Condition 

If you aren’t already familiar with assessing a horse’s body condition, now is a good time to learn. Mares that are too thin have trouble producing enough milk, and mares that are overweight may be subject to developing laminitis or experiencing foaling problems. 

Maintaining a body condition around 6-7 (using the Henneke 9-point scale) is recommended for pregnant mares during the first two trimesters. As the pregnancy advances, it is normal for the mare to gain weight mostly in the abdomen, but she should not be accumulating fat in other areas such as the rump or neck.

Feeding During the Last Trimester

During the last three months of gestation, the mare’s nutritional needs will increase as this is when the most fetal growth occurs. Good quality legume or grass hay should be fed, and if you weren’t already feeding an added concentrate, now is the time to start. It is normal for a 1,000-1,200 pound mare to gain 150-200 pounds in the last trimester.

Deworming Pregnant Mares

Deworming pregnant mares is important, as a high parasite load will not only weaken the mare’s immune system, but also expose the foal to parasites through milk. 

For much of the pregnancy, feeding a natural dewormer such as WormGuard Plus SC should be enough to keep parasite numbers in check. However, we recommend switching to MarePrep, during the last 6-8 weeks of the pregnancy. This is a specially formulated non-toxic, chemical free dewormer which also supplies essential minerals for a healthy foal. 

Caring for a pregnant mare involves some extra time and work, but all will pay off with a healthy foal!

Fall is a wonderful time of year with cooler weather and beautiful scenery. However, the season also brings an increased risk of several equine health problems. Being aware of the risks and understanding how you can prevent and/or treat these problems naturally is important for all holistically-minded horse owners. 

Reduced Immunity

A common health issue that horses experience in the fall is reduced immunity. This is often a culmination of increased stress from colder weather and seasonal changes, along with decreased levels of the important antioxidant, vitamin E, as horses transition from grass to stored hay.

To combat reduced immunity, we recommend two products: Equine ImmuneGuard and Vyrex Natural Immune System Support, which both contain herbs and ingredients known to support the immune system and help horses fight off infection and/or viruses. 

Photo by Parsa Mahmoudi on Unsplash

EPM

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disease that often develops in the fall. This may be due to the fact that opossums—the primary hosts of the parasites that cause EPM—become more active in cooler weather. When feed or water is contaminated with opossum feces, this can expose your horse to the parasite that causes EPM. As noted above, horses also tend to experience increased stress levels in the fall, which negatively impacts their immune system and increases susceptibility to health problems like EPM. 

To reduce the risk of EPM, keep your barn and surrounding areas clean and free of food or waste that might attract opossums. It’s also important to manage your horse’s stress levels by giving them ample recovery time after hard work. Keeping horses in a pasture with at least one herd mate can also go a long ways to reduce day-to-day stress. 

For horses with EPM, we recommend ProtoEase-Natural Support. This formula contains herbs with anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, anti-protozoal, stress-reducing, pain-relieving, and detoxifying properties. It also promotes lymphatic cleansing and muscle function. 

Laminitis

Laminitis is a debilitating hoof condition that can occur in any season, but spring and fall bring a higher risk due to changes in grass and hormonal fluctuations caused by shorter daylight hours. You can help prevent laminitis by monitoring grass intake, especially in overweight horses. 

For horses that are prone to laminitis, we recommend Organic Ceylon Cinnamon. This type of cinnamon helps cells to recognize and respond to insulin and also acts as a powerful antioxidant, providing additional health benefits for horses at risk for laminitis. 

Thrush 

Thrush is an infection in the frog that tends to occur when horses are kept in damp or muddy conditions. Therefore, it often occurs in the fall. Having a dry space for your horse is important, but horses may still develop thrush. If they do, we recommend Bentonite Clay which can be used both topically and internally. 

A hoof poultice can be made by adding water to Bentonite Clay. Then use a medicine boot or diaper wrapped with vet wrap to keep it in place for several hours. Feeding Bentonite Clay can also help with detoxification of the bacteria that cause thrush in the first place.

Unfortunately, equine ulcers are an all too common occurrence. In fact, researchers estimate that 60-90% of all performance horses will develop the condition known as equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) at some point. However, non-performance horses and even foals can develop ulcers as well. 

Our horses are prone to ulcers for several reasons, but the most important factor leading to EGUS involves feeding practices that do not align with the way a horse’s digestive system works. The horse’s stomach is quite small compared to their body size and it cannot handle large amounts of food at once. Instead, horses need small, frequent meals of mostly forage throughout the day. 

Because of this, EGUS is considered a manmade problem. In fact, the following factors can all lead to gastric ulcer development in horses:

• Stall confinement
• High-grain diets
• Strenuous exercise
• Long periods with no access to forage
• Transport
• Overuse of NSAIDs

Types of Gastric Ulcers in Horses

Photo by Josephine Amalie Paysen on Unsplash

A horse with EGUS can develop ulcers in four main parts of the digestive system, including the:

1.) Lower part of the esophagus

2.) Lining of the nonglandular region of the stomach

3.) Lining of the glandular region of the stomach

3.) The first part of the small intestine

With that said, ulcers are most commonly found in the nonglandular region of the stomach, which serves as a temporary storage site for ingested food. Ulcers also frequently occur in the lower part of the esophagus. This could be due to acid reflux associated with unnatural feeding practices that can lead to decreased pH levels in the stomach. Acid reflux may also occur with gastric compression during intense exercise. 

Ulcers in the glandular region of the stomach are considered rare, but some researchers think they may be more common than we know. These types of ulcers have been associated with the overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as bute (phenylbutazone) and banamine (flunixin meglumine). 

Hindgut Ulcers

Though not as common, horses can also develop ulcers in the hindgut or large colon. These types of ulcers are most commonly caused by overuse of NSAIDs like bute and banamine. Though they aren’t as common as gastric ulcers, hindgut ulcers are still believed to affect a large number of horses. Therefore it’s important not to over-rely on NSAIDs and choose safer, natural forms of pain relief such as Bjute. 

Natural Ulcer Support

Traditional ulcer medications such as omeprazole treat ulcers by suppressing the production of stomach acid. Not only is omeprazole expensive, it also comes with risks such as rebound acid hyper secretion, reduced protein and mineral digestibility, as well as increased pathogenic bacteria in the gut. 

Instead, we recommend making changes such as feeding free-choice forage and avoiding stall confinement. For a natural solution to equine ulcers, try Gastrox instead. This product uses organic herbs such as aloe vera leaf and slippery elm bark to encourage self-healing of the stomach lining without interfering with normal digestion and absorption processes.  Our Bentonite Clay is also an excellent choice for treating ulcers.

No matter the type of ulcers your horse may be dealing with, making management and feeding changes that align with their digestive system and supplementing with a natural ulcer support product like Gastrox or Bentonite Clay is the best way to go. 

Whether you have a performance horse, a weekend trail horse, or a pasture pet, electrolytes are an essential part of any equine diet. They include the following minerals: 

• Sodium (Na)
• Chloride (Cl)
• Potassium (K)
• Magnesium (Mg) 
• Calcium (Ca)

Many of these minerals can be found in grass, hay, and feed, but often not in high enough amounts. Sodium and chloride always need to be supplemented, for example.  

In solid form, electrolytes bond into salts, but when dissolved in water, they break down into individual ions which carry either a positive or negative charge. The charges carried by electrolytes allow them to conduct electricity and assist in electrochemical processes in the body such as regulating heart beat, muscle contraction, and even digestion. They also help to move fluids in and out of cells and aid in nutrient absorption. Without electrolytes, water cannot be properly retained and utilized by the body. 

Horses naturally lose electrolytes through sweating, urine, and feces. Hard-working horses that sweat for a prolonged period of time can have high levels of electrolyte losses. For these horses, supplementation is crucial. If electrolyte levels become unbalanced or depleted, cell function in the muscles, gut, and heart will slow or possibly shut down.

Sea Salt: Nature’s electrolyte

Our pure unrefined sea salt contains over 80 essential and natural minerals, making it “nature’s electrolyte”. Sea salt is always a better choice than other types of salt on the market (this goes for people as well). It’s best to avoid table salt, which has been stripped of its companion elements. Also, table salt may also contain ingredients like aluminum silicate, which can be toxic to the nervous system. 

According to our most recent analysis, our sea salt contains the following (mg per 1/4 tsp.): 

• Chloride 601.25 mg 50.90%
• Zinc 0.03 mg .00275%
• Sodium 460 mg 33.00%
• Copper 0.02 mg .00195%
• Sulfur 9.7 mg .820%
• Erbium 0.02 mg .00195%
• Magnesium 5.2 mg .441%
• Tin 0.02 mg .00192%
• Potassium 2.7 mg .227%
• Manganese 0.02 mg .0018%
• Calcium 1.5 mg .128%
• Cerium 0.02 mg .00172%
• Silicon 1.2 mg .052%
• Fluoride 0.01 mg .00109%
• Carbon 0.6 mg .049%
• Rubidium 0.01 mg .00084%
• Iron 0.14 mg .012%
• Gallium 0.01 mg .00083%
• Aluminum 0.11 mg .0095%
• Boron 0.01 mg .00082%
• Praseodymium 0.04 mg .0029%
• Titanium 0.01 mg .00079%
• Strontium 0.03 mg .00275%
• Bromine 0.01 mg .00071%

The good news is that pure unrefined sea salt can be offered free choice to horses, and they will only consume what they need. 

Manufactured Electrolytes

Another way to provide electrolytes to your horse is by purchasing a manufactured electrolyte product. However, if you go this route, make sure that sodium chloride is first on the list of ingredients, followed by potassium chloride. Many manufactured electrolytes are sugar-based, so it’s best to steer clear of those, especially for horses with metabolic issues. 

It’s also important not to over-supplement manufactured electrolytes. Continually top-dressing your feed with an electrolyte supplement can lead to irritation of your horse’s digestive tract. Over-supplementation might also throw your horse’s mineral balance out of whack, creating additional problems.

Electrolytes are important for all horses, but choose your products wisely! 

Hoof cracks can be a frustrating problem, there’s no doubt about that. Though the cause isn’t always obvious, the majority of hoof cracks are caused by foot imbalance. However, there can be other causes as well, including: 

• Improper or neglectful hoof care
• Hoof disease
• Coronary band defects
• Thin hoof walls
• Poor nutrition
• Excessive dryness or moisture
• Trauma to the hoof

Types of Hoof Cracks

There are four general types of hoof cracks in horses: 

1.) Toe Cracks occur in the first third of the hoof and mainly affect the front feet. They often occur if the toe grows too long, but can also occur if a horse has white line disease or excessively upright or club feet. 

2.) Quarter Cracks are vertical cracks occurring on the side of the hoof. They usually start at the coronary band and move downward. This type of crack can lead to inflammation and possible infection of the hoof. They may even cause lameness. Quarter cracks usually occur in the front feet but can affect the hind feet as well. 

3.) Heel Cracks affect the back part of the hoof, below the heel bulbs. They are usually caused by ill-fitting shoes but can also be the result of overstriking. Heel cracks may or may not cause lameness. 

4.) Horizontal Cracks result from trauma to the coronary band or from an abscess that has burst at the coronary band. They do not usually cause lameness and will eventually grow out on their own. 

Treating Hoof Cracks

The best way to deal with hoof cracks is to first treat any underlying infections. Therefore, seeking the help of an experienced hoof care provider to balance your horse’s hooves is also crucial. Remember, routine hoof care is important to keep the cracks from returning. 

If you suspect that moisture or dryness is the cause, management changes may be needed. Nutrition also plays a key role in both treating and preventing hoof cracks. Feeding good-quality forage, adequate protein, and appropriate vitamins and minerals such Icelandic Organic Kelp are all important for hoof quality.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is another option for treating hoof cracks. Containing more than 70 essential trace minerals, this product can be used to safely detoxify your horse of heavy metals and chemicals. Bentonite clay is known to help with digestive issues, as well improve hoof quality.

The following is a customer review for The Holistic Horse’s Bentonite Clay: 

We have owned Charlie for 3 years, and he’s always had brittle hooves. With my husband being a farrier we’ve tried everything to help his feet grow stronger. After a lot of research led me to your website we decided to give the Bentonite clay a try. We are a few months in to feeding it and wow, I’m blown away. He’s gone from barely growing hoof, and what he did grow broke off and was brittle, to nice strong feet that look healthy! Wish I’d tried this sooner! Now we have others on it as well, seeing positive results.